Question 4 Lesson 2
When is it better to be
wrong?
What is the appeal of Napoleon (Notes)
Timeline Activity
.
1663
1690
1789
1778
1793
1794
1– The Bastille is
stormed
3– Declaration of Right of
Man is signed
5– Louis XVI helps the colonists in
the American Revolution
7- Robespierre and the Radicals
seize power
2– Reign of Terror and
execution of King Louis
4– Estates General is called
to raise taxes
6– Louis XIV Builds the Palace of
Versailles
8– Two Treatises of Government
is Written
Label above the timeline the long term causes, the immediate cause, the immediate effect and the long term effects of the Revolution.
Prior to the reign of
King Louis XVI
 Louis’s great
grandfather (King
Louis XIV) bankrupts France building the Palace of
Versailles and
fighting wars with
all of his
neighbors.


Britain and France
are arch rivals and
they have fought a
series of expensive
wars (usually with
France losing)
Enlightenment
ideas of natural
rights, social contracts, the common
good (and even
rights for women!)
spread across
France
King Louis XVI
Napoleon
The French People
Up to the
American
Revolution
Spends millions to continue his Great Grandfathers wars against Britain
Born to a poor noble
family on the island of
Corsica
Loyally following the
orders of their King
During the
American
Revolution
Spends millions to help
defeat the British during
the American Revolution. Sends French
troops to support the
Americans.
Attends military school
in Paris (taunted by his
aristocratic classmates)
Loyally following the
orders of their King (in
this case fighting in
America for the freedom
of the Americans)
After the
American
Revolution
Victorious in war, Louis
needs to find a way to
pay for the war and decides to raise taxes on
his people.
An officer in the French
army.
Suffer from high taxes
and a series of poor harvests. The people begin
to demand equal rights.
During the
French
Revolution
Imprisoned and then
executed
Defends France against
the invading armies of
Britain, Austria and
Prussia. A true French
patriot and hero.
Kill lots of aristocrats,
then hide in fear of being
killed. In short they are
in need of a hero to restore order and save
them.
Based upon the chart, why do the French people need Napoleon?
Goals of the French Revolution
1.
All men are equal
2.
Government should
protect natural rights
3.
A person is free to
do as he chooses so long
as he does not interfere
with the rights of others.
4.
Freedom of Religion
(NO STATE RELIGION)
5.
Rights to property
and to representation in
Government
6.
People will succeed
based upon ability, not because of the class they are
born into.
Life in France During the Reign of Terror:
After the overthrow of King Louis XVI the new leaders of France struggled to create
the system of government they had dreamed of. In 1793 radicals had seized power,
executed the King and his family and launched a reign or terror that would engulf the
entire population of France resulting in over 100,000 executions. Read the comments
of the French citizens bellow and compare them to the goals of the French Revolution
listed on the side of the page. Do you think life in revolutionary France is living up to
the goals set out by the revolutionaries?
Jauques St. Martin—Baker
Before, when we had a King life was tough, but at least I had customers who came
and paid for bread. Now the radical Jacobins come into my store and take “for the
good of France” they say. I might not pay taxes, but I also don’t make any money. It
is also very hard to get flour in the city. I do not know what has happened to the
roads outside of Paris, but my usual supply of flour does not come and without flour I
cannot make bread for anyone.
Bishop Guy Levesque — Catholic Priest
I have been in hiding for three years. The revolutionaries came and confiscated my
Church and all of my belongings. Two of the other Priests in my diocese have been
executed and I now am left with nothing. I survive through the generosity of the good
members of my Church, but even now I do not know how long that will last. Priests
and Church officials are considered enemies of the state and protecting us is a crime
punishable by death. Somehow this does not seem like freedom of religion to me.
Rene Montesat — Lawyer
Under the King we had laws to follow and laws to practice. I am not sure what we
have under the revolution. I try to follow what I think is the law and then the gendarmes (the police) arrive and take my clients off to jail or worse. Never are my clients charged with anything other than being “enemies of the state” I do not even
know what that means. When I try to petition the guards after my clients well being I
am told it is none of my affair. Under the King we lived with royal dictates and decrees, but at least we knew that we lacked natural rights. Today we are told we are
governed by natural rights, but all I see is the government of the sword.
Marquis Luc Duvalle — Aristocrat
I do not know why I am set to die. I supported the revolution. I am a member of the
upper class, but I never believed in divine right. I hosted Voltaire in my home before
his death. I have argued for natural rights since I was a school boy. These radicals
who rule France say they love liberty, but then why do they imprison me? What is
my crime other than having been born royal?
Marie Du’Franc —Peasant
I fought for this revolution. I joined my husband at the barricades. I sacrificed my
children for this revolution. They promised me equality, they promised me rights.
They did not deliver! My husband is dead, but I am not recognized as an equal
French citizen. I fought so my daughters could grow up in a world where their voices
mattered, instead they are growing up in a world of chaos and confusion.
In one or two words describe what each of the French people above wants?
From the perspective of the French citizens above, has the French Revolution lived up to its goals? Why or why not?
Why do the French people turn to Napoleon? What do they want him to do?
GREAT HISTORICAL
HEORES OF HISTORY
FREN
CH R
EDITEVOLU
ION TION
NAPOLEON BONAPARTE
Who?
Where?
When?
What?
OT
H
S
N
IO
ACT
Poland
Germany
Netherlands
Belgium,
France
Italy
Spain
Map: Napoleon’s Empire
QUO
T
memo E:“Waterl
o
which ry of my f o will wip
o
e
Code nothing ca rty victori out the
. Tha
e
n
s; but
wip
t
Napo
leon will live fo e out is m that
y Civ
rever
il
“-
Lasting Achievement
“In the weakness of authority some popular General shall draw the
eyes of all men upon himself. Armies will obey him by his popularity.
The person who commands the army is your master”. –Edmund
How does the above quote explain the appeal of Napoleon?
Downfall
Age of Revolutions (6)
Aim: Why does Napoleon appeal to the French people?
Historical Circumstances: What do you think the effect f 10
years of revolution and 1 year of terror might have been on life in France?
What are the French people looking for after ten
years of revolution?
Vocabulary: Visit the vocabulary section
of the class website to complete this section
Radical
What makes Napoleon appealing?
A) Battlefield Record
Aristocrat
B) Political policies
Bourgeoisie
What is a “how” or “why” question this lesson made you
wonder?
Answer the Aim:
History Makers________________
Military man from a family of poor Corsican
nobles. He attends military school in Paris
then joins the rebellion. He rapidly rises in
the ranks of France’s people’s army to become its most accomplished commander.
HW: None